The information provided below is a brief summary of CHL related bills passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

House Bill 48 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption: Relating to the procedure under which a person may renew a license to carry a concealed handgun. Eliminates the requirements for CHL holders to complete a renewal course, or d...emonstrate proficiency, in order to renew the license.CHL holders will continue to have an option to submit the renewal application online.

House Bill 333 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption Text: Relating to requiring notice of a hotel’s firearms policy. Requires hotels to clearly state their firearms policy on their website and in written guest policies.

House Bill 485 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption: Relating to the amount of the fee paid by certain peace officers and veterans of the United States Armed Forces for a license to carry a concealed handgun. Reduces the fee to $25 for certain peace officers. Full time peace officer’s already pay a reduced fee. This bill expands the criteria by removing the requirement for the officer to be full time. Peace officers who wish to pay the reduced fee must be employed by a law enforcement agency. Reduces the fee for both an original and renewal for veterans from $70 and $35 respectively, to $25. Authorizes a reduced fee of $25 for Correctional Officers employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). This new law authorizes a fee reduction only. The TDCJ officers may apply online under the special condition of “active peace officer”; but will be required to complete the required four (4) to six (6) hour CHL course. Additionally, these applicants must provide proof of current employment with TDCJ. A new fee schedule is located on the Department’s website.

House Bill 698 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption Text: Relating to the use of digital or electronic fingerprinting for an application for a license to carry a concealed handgun.Directs the Department to establish a procedure for submission of fingerprints for Concealed Handgun License applicants who reside in a county with a population of 46,000 or less and does not reside within a 25-mile radius of a facility capable of processing the electronic fingerprints.More information regarding eligibility and detailed instructions are located on the RSD webpage.

House Bill 1009 Effective: ImmediatelyCaption Text: Relating to the creation of a new category of law enforcement officer who shall be designated as a school marshal.This bill is known as the “Protection of Children Act”.The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is the primary Agency responsible for implementation.

House Bill 1349 Effective: Jan. 1, 2014Caption Text: Relating to the information that may be requested by DPS from a person applying for or renewing a concealed handgun license. Concealed Handgun License applicants will no longer be required to provide a Social Security Number as part of the application process.Changes to the online application and forms are in progress.

House Bill 3142 Effective: ImmediatelyCaption: Relating to handguns used to demonstrate proficiency in handgun use for purposes of obtaining a concealed handgun license. The category of the handgun used for proficiency demonstration is no longer required, regardless of whether a semi-auto handgun or a revolver was used for proficiency demonstration.At this time, all Concealed Handgun Licenses will reflect “SA” as the category. Changes to the laminated license are being developed and will be implemented at a later date.

House Bill 3370 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption Text: Relating to the authority of certain retired peace officers to carry certain firearms. This bill expands the criteria for certain retired peace officers to obtain a Concealed Handgun License including a discounted fee.Applicants will need to provide a sworn statement from the head of the law enforcement agency where the applicant last served. The statement must meet the requirements set forth in Government Code 411.1992(b).

Senate Bill 164 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption: Relating to the issuance of veterans of specially marked licenses to carry a concealed handgun and specially marked personal identification certificates. Authorizes the Department to print “Veteran” on the laminated Concealed Handgun License. Changes to the laminated license are being developed to allow for the “Veteran” designation and are expected to be available as an option in the near future.

Senate Bill 299 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption Text: Relating to the unintentional display of a weapon by a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun. This bill amends the Penal code by changing language from “fail to conceal” to “unintentional display”.

Senate Bill 864 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption: Relating to handgun proficiency course that is taken to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license. Reduces the amount of time for the classroom training for the CHL course to a minimum of four (4) hours and a maximum of six (6) hours. The amount of time spent for proficiency demonstration will no longer be included in classroom training.Students must still attend the classroom instruction in person.The course material must still cover the same four topics.Detailed information for Concealed Handgun License Instructors including a course outline, new student test and updated forms is located on the RSD webpage.

Senate Bill 1857 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013Caption: Relating to the training of certain qualified handgun instructors to conduct school safety training. The Department is currently developing rules and procedures to implement this bill. More information will be posted on the Department’s website as it becomes available.

Senate Bill 1907 Effective: Sept. 1, 2013 Caption Text: Relating to the transportation and storage of concealed handguns and ammunition by license holders in vehicles on the campuses of institutions of higher education. Prohibits a place of higher education (such as a college) from prohibiting a student from storing a handgun and/or ammunition in a vehicle on campus.